York Beach is actually more like two beaches, separated by Cape Neddick and a gorgeous lighthouse known as Nubble Light.

Short Sands Beach is a smaller beach located adjacent to an historic and very quaint downtown area.

“We like to come to this beach because we have a family and this is the best family beach we know of,” says Joanie, who has been coming to York for years.

Short Sands is a beach that keeps them coming back. “This is our third summer coming up here,” says Paul who is visiting from Pennsylvania.

“They start coming here when they’re a kid, they come back here when they’re young adults with children, and they come here again when they’re grandparents and see their grandchildren playing on the same beaches that they did when they were little,” says Ryan Coite, from the York Parks Dept.

There are arcades, shops and restaurants in the downtown village. But perhaps the biggest draw for families with small children, there is an amusement park and zoo within walking distance to Short Sands.

The Goldenrod has been a landmark since the 1890’s. Famous for their salt water taffy, it’s the perfect place to take a break. “They don’t make a bad flavor!” says Carl Trask, who’s stocking up before returning to Tennessee. And if you want to pick up the pace, try the Fun O Rama Arcade. They’ve still got classic Skee Ball with plenty of new electronic games as well.

Long Sands Beach is nearly a mile-and-a-half long, a much larger area for beach-goers to enjoy the sand and surf.

“It’s not uncommon for four to five thousand people to be on this beach on a hot day in the summer,” says Coite.

And a trip to Maine wouldn’t be complete without a lighthouse visit. In York, Nubble Light is the place to be. “It’s one of the most iconic lighthouses in New England by far. “I think it’s absolutely gorgeous. The scenery is breathtaking,” says Monica Murano Robinson, visiting the lighthouse for the first time.

“Whether it’s your first time or your 20th, come to York and enjoy your summer vacation,” says Coite.

The ocean waters near York are noticeably colder than many of the other southern New England beaches we have visited.

This time of year the water temperatures barely break 60 degrees. By late summer, there’s some improvement, as they move closer to 70 degrees at the peak.

Abundant amenities at the York beaches, plenty of restrooms, showers, food options, lifeguards, you name it, York’s got it!

Thanks to the Museums of Old York for allowing us to use their historic photo of the Goldenrod. Visit their website: http://www.oldyork.org/